Wednesday, 27 February 2013

Japan have gained another six DVD releases for 2013 under the auspices of Sony Creative Products Inc.Out now to buy is the start of two activity titles. 高山鉄道と小さなきかんしゃたち 大解剖sees the engines of the Narrow Gauge Railway defined in each of their roles in the high hills.

Despite their brief appearances,Duke, Smudger, Bertram, The Ghost Engine and Proteus are also detailed in similar fashion. Rheneas and the Dinosaur and the Blue MountainMystery trailer are included in the release.

ソドー島で1番をさがせ! follows the scenario by instead focusing on The Fat Controller's engines and vehicles commenting on their strengths. Thomas and the Jet Plane is the story testing the premise.

For March, ソドー島大パニック takes a look at the many incidents on Sodor whileトーマスとくるまのなかま talks about the many road vehicles serving the island including Jack and the Sodor Construction Company.

Lastly, Season Fourteen returns in June when トーマスとスクラフ andワクワクするぼうけん emerge. Thomas and Scruff and Jitters and Japes are just some of the episodes continuing the trend.

Sony Creative Products Inc.'s 高山鉄道と小さなきかんしゃたち 大解剖 andソドー島で1番をさがせ! are available to buy on Japanese DVD.

ソドー島大パニック and トーマスとくるまのなかま follows on March 27th while トーマスとスクラフ and ワクワクするぼうけん are released on June 12th.

Friday, 22 February 2013

SiF have tracked down behind-the-scenes footage from the Thomas and the Magic Railroad set.

The video originating from a BBC News entertainment report has never been seen, till now on AP Archive's website.

A notable find is the appearance of Doug Lennox as cut character P. T. Boomer who looks through papers at Shining Time, a plot element from the original version of the film.

Director Britt Allcroft is interviewed at the end answering a reporter's question on how the Rev. Wilbert Awdry would've reviewed Magic Railroad on its eventual release; I don't know. Maybe he... knows.

Thursday, 21 February 2013

Hit Entertainment's DVD series Awesome Adventures is returning for a fourth stint in America.

The latest volume, Preschool Party Surprise!, once again sees another two helpings each from Thomas & Friends, Fireman Sam and Bob the Builder.

Thomas this time is represented by two episodes from the Thirteenth Series. The previous release saw the show in three episodes.

The synopsis reads; It’s party time, and you’re invited to celebrate with Thomas & Friends, Fireman Sam and Bob the Builder! Can Thomas keep all the party guests and presents on track?Can Fireman Sam save the day – and Dilys’ cake? Can Bob and his team fix Wendy’s birthday? Join the fun and festivities and enjoy some Preschool Party Surprises!

Saturday, 16 February 2013

Fisher Price's Thomas & Friends website has been updated showcasing a few surprises.

The teasers, in relation to the upcoming King of the Railway film, are seen largely in their Calling All Engines page.

A Meet the Characters video playlist features The Fat Controller in specially made animation by Arc Productions telling viewers why he thinks Stafford, Henry, Gordon, Luke and more are really useful engines.

In a printable poster, a first glimpse at Stephen's Take-n-Play is seen, ranked among other character models.His nameplate however bears the name, Rocket. On a separate page is Thomas' Adventure Castle, a set based on a chase scene as seen in the movie's trailer.

The description reads; The Troublesome Truck tries to catch Thomas as he races down the spiral track! Will it be successful in catching him? As Thomas zooms downward, the flags unfurl and the treasure drops.

The King of the Railway Take-n-Play products hit toy shelves in the UK and US coinciding with the film's release this September.

Blue Mountain Mystery: The Movie has achieved success in the United Kingdom in both TV and on DVD.

The special which has been hailed by fans as one of the best Thomas stories of recent years, is officially the No. 1 Pre-School DVD of 2012, licensing.biz and the Official Charts Company have revealed.

On television's Channel 5, compared to its predecessor Day of the Diesels which scored 328,000viewers on Christmas Eve 2011, Mystery surpassed the figures on New Years Day with a finalised 537,000 viewers.

Hit Entertainment's Business Head of TV and Home Entertainment, Alison Homewood spoke of the results; These phenomenal figures prove the power of the feature-length Thomas specials which continue to build year on year.

Not only do they deliver fantastic DVD sales but also gain exceptional broadcast ratings, solidifying HIT’s position as one of the world’s greatest storytellers for pre-schoolers.

Thomas' Christmas Express starts off the HO Scale range which decorates Thomas with his snowplough and a Santa hat. A Christmas tree on a truck, a crate load and a Merry Christmas van complete the set.

In a move by Bachmann, Thomas is also the first character to be able to talk while running on rails with the brand new Speed-Activated Sound.

Now you can hear Thomas’ steam sounds! With an analog sound system including steam chuffs, periodic whistle and steam blow-down upon stopping, this sound-equipped Thomas brings to life the sights and sounds of Sodor.

With Duck setting pre-orders alight, Arry and Bert are confirmed to be the next engines to join the line after the likes of fellow duos Bill and Ben and Donald and Douglas.

More so for rolling stock is a fourth Troublesome Truck and a third vehicle member in the form of Jeremy the Jet Plane.

Lastly and excitingly for Large Scale, Toby the Tram Engine will become the fifth engine to join the bigger scale series. ABlue Open Wagon and a Raspberry Syrup Tanker will also follow.

The new Thomas & Friends products from Bachmann hit US model and hobby stores this year.

Tuesday, 5 February 2013

Season Seventeen is reported to give Sidney the Forgetful Diesel his own episode, it has been revealed.

The shunter is apparent to be explored more in a story titled New Wheels for Sidney in the upcoming new series where decorative lights and a cargo car are also involved. The pack is called Sidney's Holiday Special.

Friday, 1 February 2013

Bob Golding has joined the voice cast of Thomas & Friends to appear in King of the Railway.

After a year of speculation, the actor of stage and screen is confirmed to take on a role for the new era of the show, voicing Stephen the Rocket in the new film. According to Spotlight, he is to also take on various characters.

Golding is perhaps best known for being the voice of Milo and Max in the BBC's Tweenies.

He has had a versatile career on stage portraying comedian Eric Morecambe in the one-man show, Morecambe and was part of the ensemble in Bill Kenwright's West End run of Elvis the Musical in 1996.

On television, Golding presented CITV's Fun Song Factory as Thomas, appeared in Peter Kay's Britain's Got the Pop Factor..., Watson and Oliver and more recently can be seen in ITV's Mr. Selfridge as Horace Spendrich.

King of the Railway: The Movie premieres in the UK, US, Germany and Australia from this September.